Wallpaper has made a major comeback recently. Indeed, it’s hard to scroll through Pinterest or flip through an interior design magazine and not see an accent wall covered in tiny floral prints or ornate pinstripes. Bill’s Painting in Cincinnati says this resurgence has resulted in the need for easier wallpaper removal methods for homeowners who want to transform their walls with paint or swap out their current print.

Luckily, with a bit of elbow grease, removing wallpaper isn’t difficult. This painter has shared some easy tips to help you get the job done before painting your walls.

Cincinnati Painter Shares 3 Tips for Removing Wallpaper

1. Figure Out Your Wall Type

The best removal method to use depends on what kind of walls your home has. If your house is more than 50 years old, chances are the walls are made of plaster. Modern homes commonly use drywall, which is more delicate and requires precision when using scraping tools. To determine which material you’re working with, knock on the wall. Plaster walls are solid and will sound dull, while drywall has a hollow sound.

2. Prepare the Room

Before getting started, prepare the room you’re working in. Remove all items from the walls, and relocate decorative objects from nearby shelving. Any furniture that cannot be removed should be covered with a drop cloth, and baseboards should be shielded with old towels.

3. Test the Wallpaper

If you’re lucky, the wallpaper you’re trying to remove was installed recently. These newer materials are often much simpler to remove without needing to resort to steaming or the use of chemicals.

To test the surface, locate a corner or seam, and use a putty knife to lift the edge off the wall. If it comes off easily, you should be able to strip the paper off the wall by pulling at the edges. Work slowly, using both hands to hold the bottom edge as you work the strip off the wall. A razor knife can help ease off stubborn sections. Holding the blade perpendicular to the wall, divide the paper into strips before pulling each individual one free.

If the wallpaper doesn’t come off easily, a liquid stripper concentrate should get the job done. Prepare the mixture according to the manufacturer’s directions, then apply it to the walls using a brush or sprayer. Let it soak for a few minutes. Older paper might need up to half an hour. Then, use a wallpaper scraper to remove it.

If you’d rather leave wallpaper removal to the experts, contact the professional painters at Bill’s Painting. For more than 35 years, these contractors have been providing residents and businesses with quality results and top-notch customer service. With this track record, it’s no surprise their painters have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Learn more about their services online or by giving them a call today at (513) 742-3937.